SAT Test Dates 2026–2027: Full Schedule

Planning when to sit the SAT is half the battle — it decides how much preparation time you have and whether you can retake to superscore. Here is the full schedule, the deadlines that matter, and how to choose. (Dates are published by College Board and can change; always confirm on their site before registering.)

2026 SAT test dates

As of mid-2026, the remaining sittings this year run from August through December.

2027 SAT test dates

College Board typically adds autumn 2027 dates (around August, September, October, November and December) closer to the time, following the same monthly pattern.

Are international and US dates the same?

Yes. With the move to the Digital SAT, the weekend test dates above now apply to both US and international students — the historical gap between domestic and overseas schedules has closed. The main difference is the fee: international test centres add a surcharge (see below). For more, see the SAT for international students.

Registration deadlines and fees

The regular deadline falls roughly two to four weeks before each test and gives the widest choice of test centres. After it, a short late-registration window stays open until about 11 days before, for an extra fee. The base SAT fee is $68; international test centres bring it to around $111. Register early — popular centres fill up. The step-by-step is in how to register for the Digital SAT.

When are scores released?

Digital SAT scores are typically released about two weeks after the test date, viewable in your College Board account, with scores then sent on to the universities you have chosen. Build this two-week gap into any plan tied to an application deadline.

Which date should you choose?

Work backwards from your application deadlines, and deliberately leave room for a retake so you can superscore. Most students take the SAT in the spring or autumn of their penultimate school year, sit it again a few months later, and target their weaker section the second time. The full logic is in when to take the SAT, how many times to take it and how long to study.

What if you miss the registration deadline?

After the regular deadline, a short late-registration window stays open until roughly 11 days before the test, for an additional fee and with fewer centres available. Miss that too and you would normally register for the next sitting instead. Because popular test centres — especially international ones — fill up early, the safest approach is to register as soon as you have chosen your date rather than waiting for the deadline.

Spring or autumn: choosing your window

Most students sit the SAT in either the spring (March to June) or the autumn (August to December) of their penultimate school year. A spring sitting leaves the summer free to improve and retake in the autumn; an autumn sitting suits students who used the summer to prepare and want results ready for early applications. Either way, plan two sittings if you can, so superscoring can work in your favour.

Line your date up with application deadlines

Choose a test date by counting backwards from where the score needs to land. For early applications (often due in October or November), a sitting in the summer or early autumn gives time for scores to arrive and for one retake; for regular deadlines (often January), an autumn date works well. Remember the roughly two-week score-release gap, and that universities receive scores a little after you do. Leaving a buffer means a single off day never costs you the application.

More SAT prep: when to take the SAT, how to register, SAT superscoring, how long to study and Bluebook practice. Tutoring: Digital SAT tutoring.

Official source: College Board — SAT dates and deadlines. Always confirm current dates and deadlines there before registering.

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